Jazz players Gobert, Mitchell say they are OK after positive coronavirus tests
Mar 16, 2020, 9:09 AM
Rudy Gobert apologized for not taking COVID-19 seriously in a video released by the NBA on Instagram.
Jazz players and NBA All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell say they feel good despite having tested positive for coronavirus.
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, in a video released through the NBA, says he is feeling fine, and is sorry that he didn’t take coronavirus more seriously.
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“I wish I would have took this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so,” he said on Sunday.
Gobert’s diagnosis became news just minutes before the scheduled tip-off of a game in Oklahoma City between the Jazz and the Thunder. By the time of his diagnosis, Gobert had not been in the stadium. The NBA that night suspended the entire league. Within 36 hours nearly every American sport followed suit, including MLB and the NHL.
Gobert has donated money to arena workers, who are now out of a job since the decision to suspend the NBA season. He is also donating to families in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City and his native country of France.
Guard Donovan Mitchell, on Good Morning America Monday morning from isolation, told host Robin Roberts that the testing was painful, but he was glad it was done and is glad that so far he and center Rudy Gobert haven’t spread the virus.
“Neither him nor I have children at home. I know I have some teammates and staff that have children at home, so I’m glad that we were able to kind of contain it as much as possible,” said Mitchell on ABC television early Monday morning.
Mitchell announced he is working to help children in the Granite School District have access to food during the schools’ soft closure.
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
- Get a flu shot.
Local resources
State of Utah: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
